AWARD-WINNING ANDOVER SCHOOL SCOOPS FURTHER DESIGN ACCLAIM

Hampshire County Council’s in-house design team has received further national recognition for work to design and develop Endeavour Primary School in Andover.

The school has received a Civic Trust Commendation Award (9 March) which recognises the best in the built environment, from architecture to planning, townscape to infrastructure. The Awards also recognise the public realm in its wider context, and the positive impact that buildings have on the people who use them and the local community.

The award is the second design accolade received by Endeavour Primary School, which has previously won the RIBA Downland Award 2012, following its completion last year. Design and project management was carried out by Hampshire County Council’s Property Services, and construction by Mansell Construction Services Ltd.

This new primary school for 420 pupils had a brief to provide flexible accommodation that can adapt to the changing learning styles of the future and be as accessible as possible for the wider community. A holistic approach to the design links architecture, interior and landscape, creating a pleasant and inspiring environment conducive to learning and wellbeing. The school has simple pitched roofed buildings arranged around a central courtyard, with the main hall on the street front, all linked by glazed cloisters. Each class has access directly to excellent sheltered external play areas, as well as generous facilities for outdoor learning.

In addition to receiving this latest design accolade, Endeavour Primary School was also recently the subject of a Royal visit, when in October 2012, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was welcomed to plant the first tree in Hampshire’s nearby Diamond Jubilee Woodlands, developed in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: “To receive further national acclaim for delivering inspirational, practical and resilient design is a very positive reflection on the skill, expertise and innovation of our in-house design team and I congratulate them for their outstanding efforts.

“The County Council prides itself on providing children with the best possible start in life, and this award-winning school offers pupils, teachers and staff an outstanding learning environment in which they can be proud.”